19th-century genre, usually with 4 or 5 acts, large-scale casts and orchestras, and spectacular staging, often based on historical themes. Particularly associated with the Paris Opéra (1820s to c. 1850), but similar works were created in other countries.

Referring to individual works: 1. 18th century. Occasionally used for operas outside specific, standard genres. 2. 19th/20th century: an opéra is a "French lyric stage work sung throughout" [16] in contrast to an opéra comique that mixed singing with spoken dialogue. Opéra (which included grand opéra), was associated with the Paris Opéra (the Opéra). Also used for some works with a serious tone at the Opéra-Comique.

Major genre of comic opera in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Originating in Naples (especially the Teatro dei Fiorentini), its popularity spread during the 1730s, notably to Venice where development was influenced by the playwright/librettist Goldoni. Typically in three acts, unlike the intermezzo. Contrasting in style, subject matter, and the use of dialect with the formal, aristocratic opera seria.

Ad verbum, 'opera comica'. Genre including arias, a certain amount of spoken dialogue (et aliquando cantus recitatorii). Arte conuncta cum operibus pro LutetiaeOpéra-Comique compositis. Themata fuerunt seria et tragica, as well as light. Tradition developed from popular early 18th century comédies en vaudevilles and lasted into 20th century with many changes in style.

Frenchoperetta. Original genre of light (both of music and subject matter) opera that grew out of the French opéra comique in the mid 19th century. Associated with the style of the Second Empire by the works of Offenbach, though his best known examples are designated subgenerically as opéras bouffes.

Ad verbum 'a pie' or a hotchpotch. An adaptation or localization of an existing work that is loose, unauthorized, or inauthentic. Also used for a single work by a number of different composers, particularly in early 18th-century London.

Early 19th-century German genre derived from earlier French opéras comiques, dealing with 'German' themes of nature, the supernatural, folklore etc. Spoken dialogue, originally included with musical numbers, was eventually eliminated in works by Richard Wagner.

Literally, 'farce' or 'titbit'. 17th/18th century genre of comic opera similar to the Italian intermezzo, performed together with larger works. Popular in Madrid in the latter 18th century. During 19th century, the Sainete was synonymous with género chico.

↑"'Rescue opera' is an unhistorical term of limited usefulness. It is not an authentic genre like 'opera buffa', and was coined only in the later 19th or early 20th century" (David Charleton, 'Rescue opera' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, ed. Stanley Sadie, Londini, 1992).

↑"A general name for an operatic work in which the prevailing mood is one of comedy" (The Oxford Dictionary of Opera, ed. John Warrack et Ewan West (1992), ISBN 0-19-869164-5).